Floor Pan Coating

[kevh]

The floor pan of my '73 ots is coated internally with a 2mm-3mm hard black bitumen type product and then painted red oxide colour. It has certanly done the job it was applied to do as underneath this coating 99% of the pan appears to be as new with just a very small area needing attention and when sorted I would like to reapply a similar coating to make good again, what coating would this be?

[MarekH]

It's the same thick bitumen paint you buy from a builder's merchants and put on a flat roof.
Clean the brush with white spirit.
kind regards
Marek

[kevh]

Thanks Marek, was this applied at the factory or has a PO put it on?

[Pete G]

My 71 s3 has what sounds like the same floor covering that you describe. Mine is very brittle, certainly not paint, it is in squares very much like Marley floor tiles. Mine was definitely factory fitted ,sprayed body colour. I can't tell what was used to fix it to the steel floor. In the "old days" it was said to be applied to stop drumming of metal panels.
If you find a replacement let us know please.

[Series1 Stu]

It is called Flintkote and is a bitumen like sheet material. I think it is no longer available but I have used a similar material on some of my other cars. It has a self adhesive backing and is very effective. Use a hot air gun to help mould it to the contours of the panels. I can dig out the details tomorrow, if you want.

Regards

[MarekH]

Thanks Marek, was this applied at the factory or has a PO put it on?

I suspect it dates from about 1989. You can get spray nozzles which splatter it out or you can also use a small roller like for behind radiators. The glued panels mentioned have traditionally been used to stop vibration and used to have a standard automotive glue (like evo-stick but higher temperature) as a backing.
kind regards
Marek

[chris420sa]

I was very interested in this dialogue. Both of my S3 floor pans have been replaced over time; one by a PO and one under my ownership. The replacements did not have any of the material mentioned. When the engine was removed for a re-build a year or so ago, I took the opportunity to access areas which would otherwise be difficult/almost impossible to get to. That included removing the hardura from the floor pans (easier said than done due to the copious amounts of glue applied), cleaning up the surface and painting with Eastwoods POR 15 anti-rust paint. I applied two coats to the interior of the floor pans and other exposed surfaces - as well as parts of myself. After curing I replaced the hardura with a more modern equivalent. It all seems to work OK and there's no "drumming" or vibrations.
POR 15 is by no means cheap but seems to have a good reputation and is reasonably easy to apply with a brush.
Best regards
Chris

[kevh]

Should there be hardura under all carpeted areas? mine only has it around the tunnel and on the fire wall. I will be replacing it all soon so may as well put it where it should be. Also, is it best to keep with the hardura or swap to a more heat resistant material, such as https://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/p-1938-a ... heatshield

[DWW]

Short answer yes.

[Series1 Stu]

Should there be hardura under all carpeted areas? mine only has it around the tunnel and on the fire wall.

Hi Kev

Do you mean Hardura, or do you mean the 1/2" thick rubberised felt that sits under the carpets for sound deadening?

Hardura is the PVC coated felt that is fitted to the bulkhead, A pillars, etc.

Definitely fit the felt if it's missing. It will help to reduce noise and heat.

Regards

[kevh]

Hi Stuart
Yes I meant the 10mm felt with the rubberised face, I have ordered some from Woolies and will put it under all the carpet, at the moment I just have the odd piece of foam which must have been fitted by a previous owner.

[ReconPilot]

I was faced with the same problem after replacing both floors in my '74 OTS. I wanted to reapply material that closely matched the original for (1) appearance and, most importantly (2) for sound attenuation. It doesn't really do much for keeping out heat!
Found a company here in the USA, Great Southern Insulation Corp., Plantation, FL that sells a D126 Damping Sheet (Bitumen Asphalt w/adhesive backing) 38" x 46" size. It's pricey at $35 USD a sheet and the shipping is a costly (UPS shipper). The material does the job, very closely resembles the original, can be heat formed and the adhesive backing works well. I applied it to the door skin insides without issue before painting.
You can source the D126 material from www.stopthesound.com, their website.
Hope this helps. Good luck and keep the Forum posted (w/pic's) of your progress.

Happy Trails,

Dick